The Colts were on the road again for game 2 of the new season looking to pick up their first points of the season against opponents that the club - in both their current and Fossoway guise - had failed to beat in any previous meeting (thanks to my sidekick Ian Richardson for that stat).
The opening 45 minutes brought a massively improved performance than that of Saturday, with some really slick and good play between Scott Sneddon, Callum Grindlay, Gavin Smith and Kieron Wilson.
In the opening 10 minutes the Colts could have been 2-0 up, with good pressing pushing Bowhill back from the halfway line and then intercepting the balll for Wilson to have a shot saved. Moments later Lewis Caulfield had a great chance to score when he latched onto Davie Byrne's looping free kick deep inside the home side's penalty box.
Bowhill took the lead in the 17th minute when Doyle headed home a cross from the right. But straight from the kick off Scott Powrie unleashed a powerful drive which appeared to crash off the post and then keeper and in the net for a rapid reply.
Moments later, great play between Byrne and Sneddon slid the ball through to Grindlay whose shot curled wide of the far post.
In the 28th minute Grindlay turned provider when he leapt highest to flick on a header to set through Wilson on goal, with the Colts number 9 making no mistake smashing a low shot into the left hand corner to give the visitors a deserved lead. More good play from Grindlay and Sneddon set up a chance for Rory Marshall to fire a shot that was saved well.
The Colts moved into a 3-1 lead in the 39th minute when a pin point cross from Smith on the left was met at the far post by Grindlay who had the easiest task to nod home from close range.
Bowhill were not going to lie down and Halliday nearly pulled a goal back if only he could have made connection with a header across goal just before the break. In first half stoppage time the hosts caused a few nervy moments when Thomson met a ball unmarked at the back post to tap home from close range for a 3-2 half time break.
The home side stepped up the pressure in the second half and had a couple of good chances, one averted by an excellent last-ditch tackle by Man of the Match Marshall (who narrowly beat Wilson to the award).
Substitute Andrew Reade then went close with two good efforts, one forcing a save in the 58th minute and a rasping shot that cannoned off the post on 65 minutes. Bowhill's own sub Reilly also had a couple of good chances to find the equaliser but was thankfully unable to find the target.
As Bowhill battled for that elusive leveller, the Colts were desperately trying to find that killer goal themselves and Marshall rattled the bar with a great strike from an angle, with Reade finding his follow-up saved.
That killer goal did come in the 91st minute and it was Wilson, who held the line up top excellently, was quickest to pounce on a loose ball to fire home from 8 yards out to make it 4-2.
While there were a few nervy moments, it was a far more assured and very pleasing performance from the team. In the first half there were moments of very slick play and movement; and the win will do the side the world of good as they prepare for a difficult fixture at Myre Park on Saturday where Cupar Hearts come to town.
https://www.kinrosscolts.club/teams/209761/match-centre/1-9502784/report
